I. NAME The name of this chapter shall be the Edinburg Retired Teachers Association, hereinafter referred to as ERTA. ERTA is affiliated with the Texas Retired Teachers Association, hereinafter referred to as TRTA, to promote the purpose of TRTA and to operate under the TRTA bylaws and policies. 

II. PURPOSES The purposes of ERTA shall be: To promote the professional, intellectual, social, and healthy well-being of retired school personnel and other public-school employees; To encourage retired school personnel to give voluntarily of their time, talents, and experience in furthering the educational and civic endeavors in the community, the state, and the nation; To promote membership in the local chapter and TRTA; and to afford opportunities for united action in solving problems relative to the needs of retired school employees.

 III. MEMBERSHIP 

Section 1. Classification A. An annuitant or a beneficiary receiving an annuity from a teacher retirement system can become a member of ERTA and TRTA upon payment of local dues and state dues. B. Any person interested in public education and willing to work to achieve the purposes of TRTA upon payment of local dues and state dues. 

Section 2. Privileges All members can vote and hold office in ERTA. Non-annuitant members shall not be elected as district officers or serve as delegates to the House of Delegates. 

Section 3. Dues The annual dues for ERTA shall be determined by a vote of the total membership. The total amount shall be comprised of ERTA and TRTA dues. TRTA membership is required to be a local member. The fiscal year shall be July 1 through June 30. Life TRTA members will pay local dues only. 

IV. MEETINGS 

A. There shall be six-chapter meetings per calendar year (August – May) on the second Thursday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Dates and location may be changed as necessary by the Executive Board. 

B. Meetings may occur via electronic communications media so long as all members can simultaneously hear each other and participate during the meeting. 

V. OFFICERS The elected officers shall be President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.

 VI. NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

A. The nominating committee shall consist of the Immediate Past President as chair and three members appointed by the chair. 

B. The nominating chair will report the slate of officers to the members at the February meeting prior to election, providing at least one name for each position.

 C. Any active member can serve as an officer. The officers will be elected for two years: an officer’s term is July 1 – June 30. Elected officers shall (determine eligibility for reelection) to the same office. (Treasurer may serve additional terms.) If circumstances prevent an in-person meeting, election of officers may be conducted electronically.

 D. Vacancies in any elected office or appointed office shall be filled for the unexpired term by the president with the approval of the Executive Board. 

VII. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

 President: The President shall preside at all meetings of ERTA and the Executive Board, authorize the payment of bills according to the yearly budget, appoint chair of all committees, and shall be an ex- officio member of all committees.

 First Vice-President: The First Vice-President shall preside in the absence or at the request of the president. The First Vice-President shall serve as the Membership Committee Chair, maintain membership records and serve as Volunteer Services Committee Chair.

 Second Vice-President: The Second Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President and First Vice-President. The Second Vice-President shall serve as the Communications Committee Chair. 

Secretary: The Secretary shall keep accurate minutes of all regular chapter meetings and Executive Board meetings and maintain an archival file of all minutes. 

Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds of ERTA. The Treasurer shall make a budget, keep an accurate record of all financial transactions, assemble materials for the annual audit, and prepare financial reports for regular chapter meetings and Executive Board meetings. 

VIII. EXECUTIVE BOARD 

The elected officers and the Immediate Past President shall constitute the Executive Board of ERTA. 

IX. COMMITTEES The committees of ERTA shall be Standing Committees and Special Committees. The Standing Committees shall be: 1. Communications 2. Member Benefits 3. Legislative 4. Membership 5. Volunteer Services 6. Retirement Education Special committees shall be those the President may appoint as necessary for a limited period. Examples: 1) Book Project, 2) Scholarship Program, 3) Technology, 4) Social Media, 5) Newsletter, 6) Directory, 7) Audit, and/or, 8) TRTF. 

X. DUTIES OF COMMITTEES Communications This committee, chaired by the Second Vice-President, shall be responsible for public relations and publicity.

 Member Benefits This committee shall relate information received from TRTA and the district member benefits committee to chapter members. 

Legislative This committee shall relate information received from TRTA and the district legislative committee to chapter members. 

Membership/Volunteer Services This committee, chaired by the First Vice President, shall develop a plan to involve members to recruit, retain, and regain chapter members. This committee shall also coordinate volunteer services program. 

Retirement Education This committee will coordinate with TRTA and the district providing educational information to active school personnel. (If other committees are added under IX, their duties need to be described here.) 

XI. MEMORIALS In the event of the death of a member of ERTA an acknowledgement will be sent to the family. 

XII. AMENDMENTS The Standing Rules may be amended at any regular chapter meeting by a majority of the members present and voting, provided that the proposed amendment(s) have been submitted in writing at the previous meeting to the membership. The Standing Rules will be amended automatically to comply with the TRTA bylaws, if applicable. Amended by the House of Delegates March 25, 2026 .